Sushil Kumar's Ear-Biting Stomach-Upset Controversy

In a classic case of ‘cheaters never prosper’, Sushil Kumar lost the Gold Medal in the final of the 66 kg men’s freestyle wrestling competition at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He blamed his loss on a stomach upset, which it seems he got after biting the ear of his opponent in the semi-finals, held earlier in the day.

Sushil Kumar’s Stomach Upset

After Sushil Kumar lost the gold medal to his Japanese rival in the final of the wrestling match, he admitted he was unwell, and said, "My stomach was not good. I don't know what happened. I suffered from loose motions."

The Secretary of the Indian Wrestling Federation, Mr.Raj Singh, also spoke to the media about Sushil Kumar’s upset stomach. He said that Sushil Kumar was in a bad shape after the semi-finals, and vomited thrice, while going to the toilet six times for loose motions. He said, “Sushil is a better wrestler than the Japanese. This is sheer bad luck". According to media reports, Sushil Kumar lost six kilos due to his stomach upset, and dehydration.

Yonemitsu Tatsuhiri, the eventual gold-medal winner from Japan said, “I was lucky. It is impossible to win gold with just my strength. It came because of a combination of luck, good conditions, good preparations and everything".

Well, what was the cause of Sushil Kumar’s stomach upset? Could it be human blood and flesh??


Sushil Kumar’s Ear Biting Controversy

Did Sushil Kumar indeed bite the ear of his rival in the semi-finals of the 66 kg men’s freestyle wrestling competition, at the London Olympics?

Here is a YouTube video showing Sushil Kumar biting the ear of Kazakhstan wrestler Akhzurek Tanatrov. You can judge for yourself.



In the semi-finals, Sushil Kumar fought against Akhzurek Tanatrov of Kazakhstan. He was lagging at 0-3 in the third round, when he pinned Tanatrov down to score two more points, and move to 5-3. Even though he was winning at this stage, video footage shows him bending down, and seemingly biting the Kazakhstan wrestler on the ear.

Tanatrov touched his ear, and signalled to the Finland Referee Karri Tapio Toivola, that Sushil Kumar had bitten him. Not understanding because of the language barrier, the referee simply gestured for the two wrestlers to get up and continue. Sushil acted like he was innocent, even though there was human blood on his lips. No official complaint was lodged by the Kazakhstan team, as it is not permissible as per the rules.

Sushil Kumar might have won India a silver medal at the Olympics, but this sort of performance does not deserve any sort of congratulations. In fact, it is quite shameful that he did such a 'Mike Tyson’ act on the world stage, which was caught by the camera. I don’t know if he can be disqualified for such an ear-biting act or not, or his medal taken away. However, this is a perfect example when a sportsperson should be disqualified, and banned for a certain period. Even Mike Tyson's boxing licence was suspended after he bit Evander Holyfield in 1997.

Sushil Kumar Biting His Olympic Silver Medal 

Anyway, karma seemed to have caught up with Sushil Kumar, in the form of a stomach upset and loose motions. The weakness caused by this stomach upset led to Sushil Kumar’s defeat in the finals of the 66 kg wresting category, to a much weaker opponent.

C’mon, it’s obvious. If a so-called vegetarian eats human blood and flesh, the vegetarian is bound to get a stomach upset! The body will certainly try to eject the indigestible, maybe harmful foreign matter!

What do you think of Sushil Kumar’s ear-biting stomach-upset controversy? Will you congratulate this wrestler?

Also Read About: 

• Yogeshwar Dutt's Olympic Bronze Medal
• Mary Kom's Olympic Bronze Medal

Mary Kom – Fighting For Gold Medals

The 2012 Olympics is on, and the Indian sportspersons are working hard to turn out their best performances, and maybe bag a medal or two. Among them is little Mary Kom, a 5’2” boxer from Manipur, with the determination of a lion. Christened Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, she is also known as MC Mary Kom or Magnificant Mary. Mary Kom participated in Women’s Boxing, in the flyweight 51 kg category, and won a bronze medal.

Mary Kom – Meri Quam (My Country)

Here is a list of five things, you didn’t know about gold medal winning champion pugilist Mary Kom:

1. Her previous achievements: This Piscean (born on 1st March 1983) is a five-time World Boxing Champion, and the only female boxer to have collected a medal in each of the six boxing world championships. She won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Mary Kom was given the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) by the Manipur Government in 2010. She has also founded the MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy in Manipur to train other sportspersons, unlike the leading cricketers of our country who prefer to stick on to their spots in the team.

2. Her kids: Yes, Mary Kom is in fact married, and is the mother of five-year-old twin boys named Rechungvar and Khupneivar. She met her husband K Onler Kom in New Delhi, and married him at the Manipur Baptist Convention Church on 15th March 2005. After Mary Kom's children were born, she took a two year break from boxing; but returned to the ring in 2008, and won a gold medal at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in China soon after.

3. Her schooling: Gold medallist Mary Kom attended three schools - Loktak Christian Model High School in Moirang (KG to 6th ), St. Xavier’s School in Moirang (7th to 8th), and Adimjati High School in Imphal (9th and 10th). She completed her schooling through NIOS open schooling, and later did her graduation from Churachandpur College. Mary Kom was always interested in sports in school, and dreamed of becoming an athlete.

4. Her inspiration: Well, it was the success of Dingko Singh at the 1998 Asian Games, which made her feel like becoming a professional boxer. Mary Kom was also impressed by the demonstration of women boxers at the 5th National Games in Manipur. She currently practices with three male boxers, who are taller and heavier than her, weighing in at 60kg, 57kg and 54kg. Mary Kom is also a big fan of heavyweight boxing champion Mohammad Ali.

5. Her parents: Mary Kom's father first learnt that she was a woman boxer when he saw her photograph printed in a local newspaper, after she won the Manipur State Women's Boxing Championship in 2000. Both her parents are farmers who work in the local jhum fields, and Mary Kom had initially hidden the fact that she was a boxer from them, because she feared that they would not approve. She has two younger sisters and a brother. Her mother has accompanied her to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Where was Mary Kom at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi?

Well, Mary Kom carried the Queen’s Baton along with Vijender Singh at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. However, as women’s boxing was not included as a sport in the Commonwealth Games, Mary Kom could not display her boxing skills and win a medal.

Mary Kom won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Congratulations lady!

We  wish Mary Kom the Best of Luck for all her future boxing matches! We also hope that Mary Kom comes back with many gold medals in the future!

You Go Girl! Mary Da Quam India!

iSkate Ice Skating Rink in Delhi

Wanting to try something new this New Year, we decided to go ice-skating. I had recently come across a newspaper ad for a new ice-skating rink in the Delhi area, and wanted to give it a try.

Well, this ice-skating rink turned out to be much bigger and better than I had expected. It was located on the sixth floor of the Ambiance Mall in Gurgaon, and was spread out over 15,000 square feet. I thought it would be quite cold in the ice-rink, and had brought lots of woolens along. However, it wasn’t; and as I skated I began to feel hotter and hotter, and finally took off my jacket.


Tickets were expensive, but that was expected as maintenance costs are sure to be high. As we went on a weekend, we had to pay Rs.400 for a one hour 15 minute session. We were allowed to enter about 15 minutes before our scheduled time, so that we could put on ice-skates. These grey-coloured figure skates were provided by the ice-rink, and were available in all sizes. As we had booked tickets for a disco session, there was DJ music and strobe lights throughout our session, as well

Below is the price list of iSkate in Ambi Mall:

• Weekdays: Rs.300 per session, and Rs.200 for spectators. There is no disco session, except on Wednesday nights.
• Weekends (Fri-Sun): Rs.400 per session, and Rs.300 for spectators. Disco sessions are held once in the afternoon, and once in the night.
• Penguin skating aid for kids costs Rs.150.
• Locker rental costs Rs.100. To save on locker rental charges, we left our bags in the security check-in of one of the flagship retail stores in Ambience Mall.

There were lots of coaches and trainers around (some foreign) to guide you about ice-skating, and give tips. There were also marshals to pick up fallen people, ensure that everyone skates in an anti-clockwise direction, and do not stare.

According to Bird Group, the company that owns this ice-skating rink in Delhi, iSkate has a capacity for 200 people. At the beginning of the session, there were more than 150 people on the rink, but this number soon lessened as people began walking off due to various reasons, like tiredness, injury, embarrassment or soaking pants. I fell down about six-seven times, and so did my friends. A useful tip: Tie your jacket around your waist to minimise the impact of falling on your behind. Also ensure that there is nothing sharp in your jacket, or else…

iSkate is open from 10am to 10pm. This ice-skating rink in Delhi also has a café, where you can order snacks and drinks. It also has an upper level for spectators and parents to watch.

It is not easy to get here if you don’t have your own transport. The closest metro station is at IFFCO Chowk. You can also take a bus from Karol Bagh or Dhaula Kuan, get off at the toll bridge or at the mall, and walk.

Another ice-skating rink is believed to have opened in Kirti Nagar, for which I will write a review later. Have you ever tried ice-skating? What was your experience like?

Michael Schumacher at Indian Grand Prix

I finally fulfilled my long time dream of watching Michael Schumacher race. This happened at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, held at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, in October 2011.


This is a photo of Michael Schumacher in the pre-race driver's parade, held about 30 minutes before the start of the race!

You rock Schumee!!

Commonwealth Games Road Cycle Race in Connaught Place

Of all the Commonwealth Games events that I have attended, the most interesting was the Cycle Race, held on the streets of New Delhi...the thrill of dodging the security cordon made it even more fun.

Well, it was Sunday morning and we set out early, so as not to miss a thing. The women's 120 kilometre cycle race was set to begin at 8.30 am. The race was totally free of cost. Hearing about the strict security cordon on the roads, we took the metro train to Rajiv Chowk. The public could exit through only two metro gates - one near Mcdonalds, the other near A-block.

We exited near McDonald's in Connaught Place and were surprised that there was hardly anyone about. There wasn't even a Commonwealth games volunteer. There were loads of cops and security guys around, and roads to the inner circle were blocked by old DTC buses.

Thinking that the crowd, volunteers, television crew and officials were in a section from where there was a better view, we began roaming around CP searching for the perfect viewing spot. That's when we made a mistake. As soon as we exited from the Outer Circle, the cops did not allow us to re-enter. We walked around the outer circle of Connaught Place a bit, and realized all routes to watch the cycle race were blocked.

The Brainwave

Yeah, we crossed the road towards New Delhi Railway Station, and took a cycle rickshaw to Ramakrishna Ashram Metro Station. As the roads were blocked by the police, the cycle rickshaw driver took us through small winding streets and inclines in Paharganj to reach the metro station. From then on it was easy - we just caught the metro train from RK Ashram back to Rajiv Chowk, entered the Connaught Place Inner Circle and watched the Commonwealth Games Cycle race.



There were no food and drink stalls in Connaught Place, but we could buy reasonably priced food and water in the metro station. Entering and coming out of the metro station was allowed by the cops. So to beat the heat during the 20 minute gap between laps, we just chilled out in the air conditioned metro station. When we heard the helicopter with the camera hovering above, we would come out to catch the cyclists going past.

The crowd was too little. I suppose if more people knew about the technique to beat security in Connaught Place, more people would have been able to enjoy the cycle race. The road cycle race for women was won by Australian Rochelle Gilmore, while the one for men was won by another Australian. Cyclists from New Zealand and England picked up the other medals.

However, for us, the real winner was the cycle rickshaw driver, who in his filthy torn shorts, exerted all his energy to drive us at top speed to the metro station, so that we could catch every single moment of the Commonwealth Games road cycle race!!!

Have you been watching the 2010 Commonwealth Games events? What do you think of the arrangements?

Schumacher Sneaks Past Alonso at Monaco

Just finished watching the Monaco Grand Prix and was overjoyed to see Michael Schumacher overtake Fernando Alonso on the final corner of the final lap.

On the 75th of 78 laps lap, the safety car was called in after an accident between Jarno Trulli and Karan Chandok. The safety car lead the cars through the remaining laps. As it pulled into the pits on the last corner of the 78th lap, everyone expected the race positions to stay as they were, as there were only a hundred metres or so left till the chequered flag.

However, Michael Schumacher was waiting like a hawk ready to pounce on a rabbit. In a classic Schumacherish move, he caught Fernando Alonso napping and raced him in the final moments of the race to snatch 6th place.



I just wish I could see the face of Fernando Alonso - he must be seething with rage behind his helmet. Michael Schumacher must be grinning and winking as usual. I wonder what they have to say in the post race interviews.

Well, I feel this Monaco Grand Prix is the true 'Return of the King' of motorsports - King Schumee!! Schumacher has finally got his groove back after coming out of retirement this season, and I am looking forward to see such racing performances in the remaining races of the 2010 season.

The Return of Michael Schumacher - Schumee is Back

When Michael Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season, I knew I was not going to be watching much Formula One. I haven’t watched a single race since then and was not quite sure who won the Drivers or Constructers Championships in the following years. I never really expected Schumi to come back unless something drastic happened and even then I was doubtful.

Well, on Saturday evening, I was flipping channels when I stumbled upon news that Ferrari driver, Filipe Massa, had been hit by flying debris during qualifying and was badly injured. Later, three time Formula One Champion Niki Lauda offered hope of Schumacher’s return by saying that Schumee was the best possible option for Ferrari. Well, I was not so sure Schumi would reciprocate, but, now that it’s happened, I can’t wait to watch the European Grand Prix at Valencia on the 23rd of August. Here are some quotes -

Michael Schumacher, “It is true that the Formula One chapter has long been closed for me but for team loyalty reasons I can't ignore this unfortunate situation…As the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge.”

Niki Lauda, the 60 year old Austrian Formula One driver who came out of a five year retirement to win the Drivers Championship in 1984, said, “He will be the saviour of Formula One after what we've gone through this year with all the politics… Michael is aware of the dangers…He is a clever guy and a grown-up man…He would not return unless he felt he was fit and felt he could make an impact on the track”.

Lewis Hamilton, 2008 World Champion said, “Michael is a legend in his own right and it would be great to compete against him… I was once asked which former driver I would most like to drive against and I went for Michael. I don't agree with all his controversial moves but as a competitor there's nobody better.”

Jenson Button, the leader of the current Driver’s Championship, said “He won't be getting into the car in Valencia thinking 'Oh God, I hope Felipe comes back soon'…It will take a bit of the limelight away from us at the front, and maybe that's a good thing because we can get on with it and fight it out”.

Kimi Raikkonen, 2007 World Champion and Ferrari teammate, said “If it really happens I will be happy to partner him, even though it may not have much effect on my own performance”.

Schumacher’s return is also expected to boost the business aspect of Formula One. More Formula One tickets will be sold, television ratings are expected to soar and merchandise sales will increase. Even I am thinking of going abroad for a Formula One race. I have always wished to see Michael Schumacher race, but hadn’t enough cash saved up at the time. Well, now that Schumee is returning to F1, I have a second chance at fulfilling my desire.

Well, I wish Schumi all the best for his return to Formula One. He should easily pass the fitness examination. I will surely be watching the races from now on. I hope he does well and does not injure himself. The contest between Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton is sure to be interesting. I am expecting Schumee to get a few podiums or maybe win a few races. Let’s see how he takes to the new Ferrari car…

What do you have to say about Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One?

Yeats - Four Time Royal Ascot Gold Cup Winner

Royal Ascot 2009

Last evening, I was watching the Royal Ascot 2009, one of Britain's most stylish horse racing events on television. They are held every June at the Ascot racecourse in the village of Ascot, Berkshire close to the Surrey border. Apart from the beautiful dresses and hats worn by the ladies, I was also looking to see if Yeats, the bay horse that won the previous three Gold Cup races would win the fourth time.

The Gold Cup is a Group 1 Flat horse race in Great Britain for thoroughbred horses who are four years or older. It is run at the Ascot racecourse over a distance of 4,023 metres and is one of Britain's most prestigious event for 'stayers' or those horses which specialize in racing over long distances. Traditionally, this event is held on the third day of the Royal Ascot meeting, which is known locally as Ladies' Day.

Well anyway, Yeats pulled off a Michael Schumacher by rewriting history with his fourth straight Gold Cup win. At eight years old, Yeats is at a stage when most horses are retired to stud farms, but this horse was simply unstoppable at yesterday's Royal Ascot race. Yeats beat the second place finisher, the youthful Patkai, by almost three and a half lengths. The triumph and joy on the faces of Yeats' jockey Johnny Murtagh, owner John Magnier and trainer Aiden O'Brien told the story like it was.

The Royal Ascot races were established in 1807 and is Ascot's oldest surviving race.Yeats is an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, which was foaled on April 23, 2001 at Derrinstown Stud. Unbothered by his years, Yeats raced to glory, getting a standing ovation for his performance from the watching crowd. The Gold Cup trophy was later presented to his owners by the Queen. This trophy is currently one of three at Royal Ascot that are traditionally presented by the Queen.

Congratulations to this handsome stallion!! Hope Yeats gets a chance to display his extraordinary prowess at next year's Royal Ascot Gold Cup race too!!

ING Renault Roadshow - Formula One Car in Delhi

This Sunday, I headed for India Gate with my Dad to watch the Renault Formula 1 Roadshow. Being a hardcore Formula One enthusiast, at least until Michael Schumacher retired, I have always wished to see a Formula One car being driven in real life. However, I haven't been able to do this, as it is very costly to go abroad to watch F1, and I haven't saved enough. I never thought there was a chance that I could get to see this happening, especially in India, until I opened the newspapers this morning and saw the advertisement.

Rajpath wore a festive atmosphere. The 'track' was bordered with ING Renault signboards and flags. The foreign marshals waving flags and security personnel moving around in official gear gave the place a feel of 'Raceday'. It was quite a cool day and I wore my new Rayban shades to look posh.

We waited some time for the show to get underway. It finally started at around 1.30 pm as three Indian Army parachutes with fans flew over the tarmac at Rajpath, whirring like little bees. This was followed by the Indian Army Band which led rows of Renault Logan cars in different colors. Next, a variety of Renault cars drove by in various formations to sexy music. Later, came the two Renault Megane Trophy cars followed by the tiger striped Cartoon Cars.



Video of Formula One ING Renault Roadshow at India Gate, New Delhi, India.

Soon, the moment that everyone was eagerly waiting for arrived. From behind India Gate, entered the white Renault Formula One R-27 flanked by the two yellow Megane Trophy cars. The vroom of the high-powered engines reverberated all through Rajpath as the cars sped down the tarmac. Everyone was excited. Street urchins and lower middle class folk who usually hang about the India Gate laws were all eyes agog. Many started imitating the sound of the Formula one cars ditto – which I found real funny and cute.

The F1 car was being driven by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet Jr., the number two driver of the Renault Formula One team after World Champion Fernando Alonso. This season, Nelson Piquet Jr. finished 12th in the Drivers Standings with 19 points. He has one podium finish to his credit, gained when he finished second at the race in Germany. Nelson Piquet Jr. is the son of three time world champion Nelson Piquet.

The Formula One car went back and we were entertained by stunts performed by Hollywood stunt car diver Terry Grant. Later, the Formula One Renault R-27 returned with Renault test driver Lucas Di Grazzi of Brazil at the wheel. The cars zoomed along Rajpath and did lots of spins and turns on the piece of road in front of India Gate and near Central Secretariat.

It was truly an awesome sight. I have seen Formula One cars before such as the McLaren Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Renault displayed at the Auto Expo, but they were stationary and I doubt that there was an engine in the body. However, never in my wildest dreams did I expect to ever see a Formula One car zooming down Rajpath.

All I can say is the ING Renault Formula 1 Roadshow was an awesome start to the 2010 Commonwealth Games which was being promoted. I hope the government continues with such ventures and one day organizes a Formula One race in Delhi.

Michael Schumacher - After A Real Long Time

“When I go out for a drink, someone else does the driving.” - Michael Schumacher, 7 Times World Champion.

Recently, I saw Michael Schumacher’s photo on a newspaper website after a real long time. I couldn’t help recollecting how until two years ago, I’d stay home every weekend watching him race in the qualifiers and on Raceday. Most of the time he’d win, but even when he did not he’d never give up and try to finish the race as high in the standings as possible to gain some extra points for the team.

The photograph showed Michael Schumacher in Brussels launching a campaign by Bacardi against drinking and driving. This ‘Champions Drink Responsibly’ campaign will be launched in more than 40 countries around the world to spread the message that 'drinking and driving don't mix'. Advertisements will show Michael Schumacher using taxis instead of driving, being a designated driver and raising awareness that you shouldn’t drive if you have been drinking.

Nowadays, Michael Schumacher is also trying his driving skills at motorbike racing. Even though he began practicing only around six months ago, he seems to be doing quite well for a beginner at his age. However, he has said that he is not trying to be the new Casey Stoner or Valentino Rossi and will not be pursuing motorcycle racing as a secondary career. Usually, whatever Schumee tries his hand at; he always aims to succeed and ends up doing unbelievably well. I believe that if he put his heart in MotoGP, he’d come out with shining colours even today!!!

Premier Hockey League - PHL in India

Premier Hockey League (PHL) India

I thought I'd write something about India's national game of hockey for a change. The Premier Hockey League was started three years ago with new rules to make hockey popular in the country. I did'nt watch many matches in the first season of 2005 when it was held at an empty stadium in Hyderabad. However, last year I watched most of the matches and all three finals. The matches were shown live and the stadium in Chandigarh from was packed with cheering spectators.

Balder Bomans in Action for the Chandigarh Dynamos (Green Jersey)

I was supporting Chandigarh Dynamos mainly because I thought one of the foreign players on the team - Balder Bomans of Holland was real cute ! He also played well. Too bad, then when my team lost in the best of three finals. The only thing that ruined the Premier Hockey League last year was the chest thumping, walking off the field histrionics by Dhanraj Pillay of the Maratha Warriors. Really, what a sore loser !

This year there is only one division or tier. The seven teams - Chandigarh Dynamos, Maratha Warriors, Sher-e-Jalandhar, Bangalore Lions, Chennai Veerans, Orissa Steelers and Hyderabad Sultans play 2 matches each against each other in the league. I haven't caught many matches as most of them are not live - even the final is scheduled to be played through tape on ESPN. There is no zing or rush like last year. Half the matches were held at a stadium in Bangalore which was completely empty and bored me stiff. The remaining matches are being held in Chandigarh where atleast some crowd has turned up to watch and cheer.

My favorite team - Chandigarh Dynamos is way back in the PHL standings and has very little chance to catch up. There is a live match on Friday, maybe they'll play Balder Bomans in his new hairstyle. Of the two teams leading the PHL standings with 14 points each, I think Sher-e-Jallandhar stand a better chance to win the PHL championship than Orissa Steelers. Maybe Chandigarh Dynamos will play better in the home matches. The team is so unlucky - players keep getting injured. Best of luck guys !

Have you ever watched Premier League Hockey - PHL matches ?

Michael Schumacher Wins - Alonso Drops Bottle

Michael Schumacher Wins In China To Equal Fernando Alonso's Score

I finally got over my post- Schumacher retirement depression as Michael Schumacher won another race. You see, I'd always wanted to watch Michael Schumacher racing live at a race track. The only three race track venues nearby are at Bahrain, Malaysia, China and Japan. All the races are already over except the Japanese Grand Prix which is on next week. Though I have some money saved up, I just don't know how I'd go about on foreign trip alone.

Michael Schumacher also looks happier. I remember at the last post-race press conference at Monza his face looked thin and gaunt but this time he had the same chubby, glowing complexion he had when he first started out in 1994.

I know Michael Schumacher made the right decision by retiring. In a dangerous job like Formula One it is best not to push your luck too far. Look what happened to Steve Irwin ! A perfect family, all the money you could wish for - and he is dead. Even, younger drivers may subconciously start wishing that something bad happens to Michael Schumacher so that may have a chance of winning, so it is best to quit and avoid those bad vibes. Maybe he can do something better, like own a winning formula team.

Michael Schumacher did good to retire while he is still winning instead of fading off like Andre Agassi or Damon Hill or Eddie Ervine. I have no doubt he will win this year's championship too. Like always Michael Schumacher came from behind to equal Fernando Alonso's tally of 116 points. Since Alonso is having a lot of bad luck - wrong tire changes, long pitstops, yesterday his champagne bottle fell and crashed (very bad omen)......there is a good chance of Michael Schumacher taking this year's Driver's Championship.

Results of China Grand Prix - Fernando Alonso was second, Giancarlo Fiscichella was third, Jenson Button secured fourth place, McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa was fifth. Rubens Barrichello was sixth in the second Honda, followed by Nick Heidfeld in a BMW-Sauber and the Williams of Mark Webber. Next Race on 8th October in Japan followed by the Brazilian Grand Prix.


Michael Schumacher Formula One Fernando Alonso

Kite Fighters of the Capital - Ready with the Best

Kite Flying aka Fighting in India

“The optimist pleasantly ponders how high his kite will fly; the pessimist woefully wonders how soon his kite will fall.” William Arthur Ward


It starts as the day dawns and continues into the night. The sounds of urgent fluttering fills the air. Hi-Fi CD players and speakers are carried up on rooftops where the latest dance tracks are played out. Loud yells of 'I Voh' meaning 'look its being cut' followed by a maddening thumping of steel sheets and water tanks follows. Please Prime Minister, shorten your Independence Day speech as today the country only has eyes for the paper kites fighting for supremacy in the sky.

Patang Baazi or kite flying is our passionate pastime. Originating in the holy books Vedas and Mahabharata where gods first flew them, they were also used to measure distance and recieve messages. Kites flown on festivals like Basant Panchami and Makar Sankranti are restricted to a few communities and geographical regions. However, as Independence day is a national secular holiday, people of all ages, religions and states can be seen purchasing a supply of 'patangs', 'manjha' and 'firki' ( kites, line and reels that hold the line) from makeshift stalls that open only during the season.

Kites are made of coloured 'kite' paper available in stationary shops. Geometrical patterns on it make it a stronger fighter. Some kites are made with plastic packaging material having the logos of well known tea and bread manufactureres. The more expensive ones are made of colored wrapping paper and have long tails. Oval shaped kites called Tukals and other multi-kites are flown by the experts in the Old Delhi area near Jama Masjid.

The most popular kite on Independence Day the is the 'tiranga' or tri colour kite with slogans such as 'mera bharat mahan' ( my india is great).

The line should be carefully measured and tied to the kite. Made of cotton woven in varied thicknesses, it may be coated with a mixture of glue and either ground glass or metal powder. Stuff like pigeon's droppings, egg, rice powder, sea surf and wax are added to make the string stronger. Some people use modern nylon line, which is supposed to be stronger but in reality gets cut just as easily.
There are no winners or losers as I know nothing about the person whose kite I'm fighting against. The goal is to cut the line of every kite you see. If my kite is cut by someone, I simply tie a new kite on and get on with it. It is easiest to get the kite up on a calm day with a slight breeze. Some folks do get them up on windy or still days but they become really difficult to control.

A kite flies just like an airplane which creates wind by its own speed. Throwing the kite in the air and yanking the string hard while letting out line causes currents of air to form that strike the face of the kite and force it upward. The best kites are made in Rampur and the best manjha comes from Bareilly. Though anyone can make a kite at home, the best fighters are carefully weighed and measured for great balance and strenght. The bamboo sticks that form the frame are cut like a bow and arrow. Kite paper or plastic is cut and the edges strengthened with cotton thread before being stuck. The tail is the only part which has paper on both sides, with pieces of bamboo for stability stuck between the two sheets.

Kite Fighting is best summed up by the lyrics of the song 'Dheel De' from the film 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'

Ae Dheel de , Dheel de de re bhaiya
us patang ko dheel de , jaise hi masti main aayein
us patang ko kheech de
tez, tez , tez hai , manja apna tez hai
ungli kat sakti hai bapu , to patang kya cheez hai?

( give the line some slack, o brother and as the kite starts dancing upwards pull the line in hard...the line is really sharp, if your finger can get so easily cut then so can your kite )

As the kites fall towards the ground, kids carrying long poles run with their necks craned upwards to catch the falling kites. Minor scuffles break out among the looters. Most Indian s are looters at heart. If I see a falling kite floating past my balcony, I can't help but reach out my hand to grab it.

There is a dark side to the joy of kite flying. Many pedastrians or two wheeler drivers die or get injured due to sharp cuts on the neck and face from glass coated manjha. Kids face the danger of being electrocuted when they try to pull down kites attatched to metal coated manjha tangled on electricity poles. I have also heard of neighbours too engrossed in the sport falling from rooftops.

The high rate of accidents lead to the Delhi govenment banning kite flying. A fine of 100 bucks or jail was prescibed for the violators. As most kite flyers are minors who have no money, this law was not strictly enforced. The most I saw was cops rounding up a few kids who were flying kites near the main road and making them do a 100 situps while crossing their arms and holding their ears.

Dusk brings an even more enchanting sight. As the fireworks go off in the distance we start putting up lantern kites. We tie either a candle in a paper lantern or a bulb with a tiny battery to the line of a kite that is already up. The lantern silkily floats up as we release more thread. Some lines can have two or more lanterns, twinkling like stars as the wind plays with the flame. I was surprsed to hear that many folks in western countries who have South Asian neighbours believe the firefly kites to be UFO's.

August 15th is only a couple of weeks away. Looking through my window, I can see children practicing their kite flying skills. Last year was not really that bad but I can't help but fantasise about the bazillion kites I'll cut this year.

kite flying kite fighting fighter kites india independance day

My Sporty Weekend

Spent the day switching between sports channels - the teams I supported did'nt do too badly though.

1. Hockey - watched India beat New Zealand 3-2 for the bronze medal at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur. India finally got a medal after 5 years. The sardar from Chandigarh Dynamos played well and also that guy Hari who put in two majestic goals. In the finals, Holland gave Australia a taste of their own medicine by thrashing them 6-2.

2. Formula One, Canadian Grand Prix - Schumacher qualified in 5th, had a bad start and was running in 8th. Luck favoured him, and due to the safety car coming out twice, he managed the second place on the podium. Alonso, of course won again.....yawn.

3. Football - England vs Ecquador. David Beckham bent the ball into the goal silencing his British critics. However, the Portugal vs Netherlands game was more entertaining mainly for the pushing and tripping on the field - in which 4 players were sent off.

4. Cricket, 3rd Test in the West Indies - Brian Lara did not force India to follow on even though India were all out with 20 more runs needed. Harbhajan Singh's four 4's in an over at the end of the innings were quite surprising - too bad Munaf Patel got out at the other end.

Sultan Azlan Shah Hari Prasad Canadian Grand Prix Football
cricket west indies david beckham michael schumacher

Michael Schumacher at Silverstone

The most interesting part of the race was the pit-stop race strategy by the Ferrari team. Michael Schumacher overtook Kimi Raikkonen by pitting a lap before him to take second place. Fernando Alonso, as usual lead from pole to chequered flag - I'm waiting for the day he has a 'did not finish' to his name. Fiscichella was fourth, Felipe Massa fifth, Montoya sixth, Heidfeld seventh and Jacques Villeneuve in eight place. Next race is in Canada on the 25th and I'm hoping Schumacher will steal some points from Alonso.

Michael Schumacher British Grand Prix Formula One Fernando Alonso Silverstone

2006 FIFA World Cup - Predictions

I still remember the first time I played football. We were a group of 50 girls, screaming and shoving each other as we tried to get a glimpse of the lone soccer ball somewhere in the centre of our flying limbs. The ball would suddenly shoot out, landing among the beds of Roses and Chrysanthamums as the gardener shook his fist in annoyance. On the fringes of the herd, I was really excited to see the ball finally heading my way. As it neared me, rolling at full speed, I shut my eyes and put my foot out hoping it would connect and go somewhere near the goal. Instead, all I could felt was searing pain as my toes were hammered into my ankles by the speed of the l. As it was an all -girls school, I got many more chances to play football instead of just serving drinks or being a cheerleader, which was a very good thing.

As the 2006 Soccer World Cup draws near, here are some of my predictions on how the championship will unfold -

Teams topping their groups -

Group A - Germany and Poland
Group B - England and Paraguay
Group C - Netherlands and Argentina
Group D - Mexico and Portugal
Group E - Italy and USA
Group F - Brazil and Japan
Group G - France and South Korea
Group H - Spain and Tunisia

Pre - Quarter Finals -
1. Germany vs Paraguay - won by Germany the home team
2. Netherlands vs Portugal - won by Netherlands as Portugal remains luckless
3. Italy vs Japan - won by Japan as Italy chokes
4. France vs Tunisia - won by France obviously
5. England vs Poland - won by England because of Theo Walcott
6. Mexico vs Argentina - won by Argentina by thier usual cheating tactics.
7. Brazil vs USA - won by Brazil......something like 10-0
8. Spain vs South Korea - won by Spain because of thier good defence.

Quarter finals -
1. Germany vs Netherlands - won by Germany because of thier Goalkeeper
2. Japan vs France - won by Japan as France completely loses the script
3. England vs Argentina - won by England coz cheaters don't prosper
4. Brazil vs Spain - won by Brazil because of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo

Semi Finals -
1. Germany vs Japan - won by Germany - how did Japan come so far ??
2. England vs Brazil - won by Brazil - coz kids are no match for a world champion

Finals -
Germany vs Brazil - will be won by GERMANY - the home team, on home ground with home support plus Brazil cannot win the cup twice !

Golden Boot - Ronaldinho

world cup football soccer germany
brazil world cup predictions ronaldinho

Weekend Movie Reviews - Malamaal Weekly, Taxi No. 9211

What I watched over the Weekend - Malamaal Weekly, Taxi No. 9211

1. Malamaal Weekly - 3/10 - for the yelling and screaming dialogue. Point to note for the producers...a corpse starts stinking after some time.

2. Taxi No. 9211 - 6/10 - had a good story, script and plot with strong characters. ( ya, i know it was a mixture of Hollywood films Changing Lanes/Collateral but it was still well adapted). Nana Patekar was as usual realistic and gave his character depth and John tried hard and was not that bad either.

3. Formula One San Marino Grand Prix - 10/10 for Michael Schumacher who won after keeping Alonso at bay for more 2/3 rd of the race.

Best of Luck Michael Schumacher for the 2006 Season !!

Michael Schumacher at the 2006 Formula One Season

The last season proved that luck was the only thing that Michael Schumacher had little off. The 'n' times the car failed to work properly and the crashes with other drivers either stole many hard worked for points or resulted in a non finish.

This season has a new knock out qualifying format and brings back tyre changes which should see teams playing different strategies. Hopefully, we won't see just one unknown driver leading from start to finish for a large majority of the races. However, if Schumi were to win all the races, then I certainly won't complain !! ( Touch wood )

Schumee, you are without doubt the best driver on the track - The Ferrari team works very hard and is made for challenges - so let's go beat the Shit out of those amateurs in helmets !!!

First Race of 2006 this Sunday in Bahrain. All the best Schumi !! (Please don't break a leg )